Washington, D.C. – Only three days into his new job as
President and of the United States, and George W. Bush is already
rolling back health and safety initiatives that are widely supported by
Americans. The Washington Post reported today that the new Bush
Administration has wasted no time in attempting to turn back the clock
on safety standards that protect families from potentially
life-threatening contamination and food poisoning.

"Within only hours of taking office, Bush put
potentially life-saving safety rules on hold," DNC National Chair Joe
Andrew said. "Whether it's imposing new restrictions on women's right to
choose or delaying new health, safety and environmental initiatives,
Americans are starting to ask what happened to the 'compassionate'
George W. Bush they saw on Inauguration Day."

According to the Post, "The regulations called for more
stringent testing by plants producing hot dogs, ready-to-eat meats and
cheeses to detect listeria bacteria." According to the FDA, listeria
causes 2,500 serious illnesses and 500 deaths annually.

Andrew noted that Republicans in the Gingrich Congress
also tried to undo the nation's health and safety laws in 1995. "Bush is
ripping a page from the Gingrich playbook, when the former Speaker tried
to reverse decades of improvements in food safety during the 104th
Congress," Andrew said. "Fortunately, President Clinton blocked
Republicans' attempt to weaken food safety standards. George W. Bush
could put the welfare of the public at risk by delaying these
regulations," Andrew said.

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